Linda Gatewood

Linda L. Gatewood, mother of all who had the privilege of meeting her, passed away Monday, June 25, 2024, while surrounded by loved ones. Her visitation will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Forest Baptist Church in Forest, MS. Her services will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Forest Baptist Church. Her burial will follow at Gatewood Cemetery in Lake, MS. Rev. Reid Stevens and Rev. Dr. Timothy Gatewood will officiate under the direction of Wolf Funeral Services.

 Linda was raised in Newton, MS but spent most of her life serving the people of Forest, MS where she lived with her husband, Joey, for almost fifty years. She was an integral part of the community as an educator, working as a special education teacher for Forest High School. Her work was not limited to the school, however, as she was also a longtime member of Forest Baptist Church where she taught generations of children about Jesus as a volunteer nursery worker. Linda’s most defining characteristic was that of a mother, dutifully caring for and rearing four children, Benjamin, Bethany, Jonathan, and Timothy. To know her was to love her, and the community will miss her contagious smile and joyful nature.

 Linda tended to leave everything better than she found it, and her hobbies reflected this strength. She was a talented gardener and was quick to open her home to guests. Serving children as much as she did, she never lost her sense of adventure and loved traveling with her family. She was kind, encouraging, and tirelessly supportive – everything a good mother, wife, and daughter could possibly be. Her influence will continue through the faith passed down by her to her children and grandchildren.

 Linda was preceded in death by her father, Willie Mason Ledlow; brothers, Doyle Mason and Michael Stuart Ledlow; grandparents Floyd and Virginia Ledlow; and sons, Dr. Benjamin and Jonathan Gatewood.

 She is survived by her husband Joey Gatewood; mother, Ruby Matthews Ledlow; brother, Craig Ledlow; children, Bethany Gatewood Sigrest (Jonathan) and Rev. Dr. Timothy Gatewood (Beth); daughter-in-law, Brandi Denton Gatewood; and grandchildren, Micah, Sam, and Emory Sigrest and John Howard and Thomas Gatewood; all of whom adored her dearly.